Silver Knott cut for Breeders' Cup after bouncing back to land Autumn Stakes

Saturday: Newmarket

Silver Knott struck gold to give Charlie Appleby and William Buick a third straight win in the Emirates Autumn Stakes, but surpassed the likes of Coroebus, One Ruler and Ghaiyyath in the Group 3 contest by doing so under a 3lb penalty.

After winning the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in August, the son of Lope De Vega had been sent off odds-on to register a hat-trick in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month, but was all at sea on the soft ground.

The youngster was back in business this time around, however, coming from off the pace to nail the unbeaten Epictetus late on over the mile.

The winner was cut to 33-1 (from 40) by Paddy Power to emulate his late stablemate Coroebus in next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas, but closer to hand was shortened to 7-2 (from 7) for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Appleby said: "Silver Knott went into the race at Doncaster last time off the back of a smart performance at Sandown, but the ground had turned soft and he just couldn't go on it. The step up in trip was also key, and going back on a sound surface.

"We'd chatted about the Breeders' Cup, but we'll see how he comes out of this. Beyond that he could go for a Classic trial in the spring."

Honours makes amends

Flying Honours bounced back from a disappointing show in the Royal Lodge Stakes to set himself up for a tilt at a Derby trial in the spring when running out a convincing winner of the Group 3 Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes.

Despite being beaten as the 2-7 favourite at the same course two weeks earlier, Flying Honours was again sent off odds-on, but things went much more to plan for the 10-11 shot on this occasion.

Coral shaved the winner's odds to 20-1 (from 25) for the 2023 Derby after a length success over Blanchland, and winning trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed that would be the obvious route to tread with the son of Sea The Stars.

Flying Honours lands the the Zetland StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"We weren't sure whether to run him again or put him away for the winter," said Appleby. "I'm glad we've run him and hopefully we can look towards some of those Derby trials in the spring."

Appleby and winning rider William Buick blamed the lack of pace for the Royal Lodge defeat, with the strong early gallop more to his liking on this occasion.

"They went a good gallop and he's had to stay and stay well to get the job done," said the trainer.

Appleby and Buick went on to complete a 19-1 treble on the card when Desert Order landed the 7f nursery.

Egan lands gamble

David Egan left Newmarket a popular man after following up Cesarewitch success on the well-supported Run For Oscar by landing the Listed EBF Boadicea Stakes on the gambled-on Azure Blue.

A 9-1 shot in the morning, the winner returned the 9-2 joint-favourite as she maintained Michael Dods's 50 per cent strike rate on the Rowley Mile this season. The County Durham trainer also saddled Gale Force Maya to finish fourth.

"She's going to get better for sure," said Egan. "She raced economically for a sprinter and put the race to bed nicely."

Alflaila flays rivals

Shadwell Estates won the closing Group 3 Masar Darley Stakes when Alflaila came from last to first to give Owen Burrows an eighth Group win of 2022.

Burrows said: "He misses the break but that's him, and Jim Crowley just let him find his stride. They went a good clip so he got away with it.

"He qualified for a race in Bahrain when winning at York last time and could go there next."

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